What is wrong with open api tools generator?

[jvmlet]

Given the latest MS shift to support /encourage/embrace /etc. open source, why yet another open api generator ? What's is wrong with https://openapi-generator.tech/? Folks will be more than happy to accept PRs from MS team that generates better clients. Why Kiota?

[baywet]

Hi @jvmlet,
Thanks for your interest in kiota and for reaching out.
There are multiple reasons why we started yet another OpenAPI generator instead of contributing to existing ones:

• A tool that's simple to use: not too many command lines options, no templating mechanism.
• A tool that was blazing fast (the description for Microsoft Graph v1 is 60MB).
• A fluent API and models that are not tied to any specific serialization format/library, http client, authentication scheme.
• Broad support of OpenAPI specification features.
• Open Source approach.

Before taking on the work of starting yet another generator, we took a long time to analyze the existing tooling (about 30+ at the time) and none checked all the boxes. None were even close if we had heavily invested in contributions.

Let us know if you have further questions.

[jvmlet]

Thanks for answering this, @baywet, I can't tell I'm convinced though:

• A tool that's simple to use: not too many command lines options, no templating mechanism.
  They (open-api-gen) also provide build tools (gradle plugin/ ect ) to automate the stuff.

• A tool that was blazing fast (the description for Microsoft Graph v1 is 60MB).
  We generate/process a lot of open api docs - c#, kotlin, ts ,java, python .... the tool is definitely not the bottleneck of CI/CD pipeline.

• A fluent API and models that are not tied to any specific serialization format/library, http client, authentication scheme.
  It provides tons on binders for different libraries.

• Broad support of OpenAPI specification features.
  Just had a look at latest release, one of the release notes : OpenAPI 3.1.0 Add webhooks support. Is kiota capable as well ?

• Open Source approach.
  Exactly. Have a look at stars (18.7K), contributors(2.7k), history... I'm not sure even the giant can compete with open source community.

None were even close ???

[baywet]

Thanks for your reply.
I've provided some broad context here, I'd be happy to dive into specifics if you have more precise questions?

[jvmlet]

No more questions. Let's see Kiota in 1 year and how it evolves, time will tell...

[baywet]

Absolutely! For information the project is now 3 years old since the initial proof of concept and we're seeing healthy growth.